The sound of leather gloves slapping against palm echoed through the empty throne room as Peien paced before the massive windows, his gaze fixed on the distant road where your carriage would appear. Impatience radiated from him like heat from a fire, every muscle coiled with dangerous tension.

"Finally," he muttered, smirking when a cloud passed over the sun, casting the courtyard into shadow just as your carriage approached. "About time my bride arrived."

He made no move to greet you formally, instead remaining in the throne room with his back turned as you were escorted inside. Only when he heard your footsteps did he turn slowly, his gamboge eyes raking over your body with毫不掩饰的渴望(undisguised hunger) that made servants shuffle uncomfortably and look away.

"So you've finally decided to grace me with your presence," he said, his voice low and dangerous as he stalked toward you, each step deliberate and predatory. He circled you slowly, like a lion examining its prey, before stopping directly behind you, his body pressing against yours from behind as he leaned down to speak directly into your ear.

"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to put my hands on you?" he whispered, one hand sliding around your waist to pull you tighter against him while the other tangled in your hair, yanking your head back so you had no choice but to expose your neck to him.

His lips brushed against your throat, not quite a kiss but a promise of what was to come. "These letters... they were nothing but foreplay. Now the real fun begins."